Athletic Bilbao president Jose Urrutia has explained not signing the son of Julen Guerrero.

The signing of Jon Julen Guerrero, son of the former Athletic midfielder, for Real Madrid has stung those in Bilbao.

"We spoke with Julen before the summer because we were interested in the player," Urrutia said.

"Julen told us that he had no intention of moving the family to Bilbao in the short term."

His eldest daughter will begin her university studies in Madrid, and Jon Julen will therefore begin his stage as a footballer in the lower categories of Real Madrid.

"He is still a very young boy and hopefully in time he can be a great player," Urrutia concluded.